Meet Prachi Shetty: The New Face Of Hospitality Leading Fortune Group Of Hotels Into A Bold New Era

At the vibrant intersection of tradition and innovation stands Prachi Shetty, a dynamic young leader steering the future of Dubai's homegrown Fortune Group of Hotels. As the next-generation torchbearer of a legacy built by her father, Mr. Praveen Shetty, Prachi's journey is one of rediscovery, responsibility, and reinvention.

With a background in finance and a Master's in international hospitality, she brings a well-rounded, modern perspective to the table. Now at the helm of six hotels in the emirate, she is focused on evolving the group through sustainable practices, smart systems, and meaningful guest experiences. In this exclusive interview with OneArabia.me at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, she talks not just about leadership but also the transformation of a brand, a legacy, and the possibilities for women shaping the future of hospitality in the Middle East.

Can you tell us about your journey taking the helm at Fortune Group of Hotels and what inspired you to this venture?

While I'm not the original founder — that credit goes to my father, Mr. Praveen Shetty, who built the Fortune Group of Hotels from the ground up — my journey is about continuing that legacy. To be honest, hospitality was never part of the original plan. I was pursuing my own path, and the idea of joining the family business wasn't something I had fully embraced.

I stepped into the business with fresh eyes, a deep respect for what had been built, and a desire to modernise and expand our impact. I grew up around hotels and hospitality, but when I officially joined the business, I realised how much more there is to learn — especially when you're balancing tradition with innovation. Today, I'm proud to carry forward not just a brand, but a legacy — and add my voice to it in a meaningful way.

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

It was overwhelming at first, especially stepping into spaces where most of the team had known me since I was a child. The back end of hospitality has always been more male-dominated, and suddenly, I was expected to lead. But I reminded myself — this is our family business, and I belong here.

I had to carry myself with clarity and confidence, knowing they were here to help me reach our shared goals. In fact, they were the ones who trained me. And after a couple of months, it was me telling them what to focus on and what needed utmost importance. That was my biggest challenge — and overcoming it took me a while.

Speaking with senior colleagues and even friends of mine who've joined their own family businesses gave me perspective. I understood that it's a time-based adjustment. Today, it's heartening to see more women across our kitchens, service stations, and the back end of hotel operations.

What sets Fortune Hotel apart from other hotels in the industry, and what unique offerings do you provide to your guests?

We're proudly positioned between budget and premium. We recently received an award for Best Budget Hotel 2024 by TravTalk. We offer the comfort and services of a luxury property, but with warmth, authenticity, and value. What truly sets us apart is that we're family-run. Every guest, every restaurant concept, every room has been curated with personal care. We're not just in the hotel business — we're in the people business.

Being Mangalorean, we deeply understand the emotional connection people have with food from home. That's why each of our properties has at least one Mangalorean chef on board. With so many travelers visiting us from India, especially coastal regions, we want to create a sense of comfort and familiarity through our food.

We also reflect this culturally rooted approach in our restaurants by offering regional cuisine that resonates with both our Indian guests and the local residents here in Dubai. It's our way of making people feel at home, no matter where they come from.

Could you speak about Fortune Hotel's showcase at ATM 2025 in Dubai?

ATM has always been a key event for us. It's where we reconnect with our partners, exchange ideas, and explore how hospitality is evolving globally. It's more than just an exhibition; it's an opportunity to share our story, stay ahead of trends, and shape what's next.

This year, we're especially thrilled to introduce Boatman's Hub, our newest restaurant concept that brings together the vibrant coastal flavors of Goa, Mangalore, and Malvan. Located at Dubai Grand Hotel by Fortune, it's a celebration of food, culture, and community — the very essence of what makes Dubai such a dynamic hospitality destination.

How do you envision the future of the industry, particularly for women leaders, and what role do you see yourself playing in that future?

Hospitality keeps evolving, and what I love most is how diverse and dynamic it is. I've always been drawn to the F&B side — being on the floor, engaging with guests. That's where my heart still lies. But today, I find myself needing to think beyond one department and look at the bigger picture across operations, strategy, and leadership.

It's a learning curve, and I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm embracing it one step at a time. As a young leader, especially in a family-run business, I know I've stepped into this position early — and that comes with responsibility.

My focus now is to grow our group with intention, especially by expanding our F&B concepts, and to hopefully inspire more young women to take up space in this industry.

Can you share any initiatives or programmes you've implemented at Fortune Hotel to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace?

We're proud that over 100 women work across our six hotels. While we may not have a formal "program" yet, we're very intentional about creating a supportive, respectful environment where women can grow.

From hiring practices to leadership development, we're steadily working toward building a more inclusive culture. This is definitely an area we want to grow further in the next year.

What qualities do you believe are essential for success as an entrepreneur, and how do you embody those qualities in your leadership style?

Curiosity, resilience, and clarity have been my anchors in this journey. I've always believed that curiosity keeps you open — open to learning, listening, and evolving. It pushes you to ask questions, dig deeper, and never settle for just what's in front of you. That's been important for me, especially stepping into a business that's already established. Curiosity helped me bring a fresh perspective without losing sight of the foundation we're built on.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned recently is about delegation. I've always been someone who likes to do things myself — there's a comfort in knowing every detail. But as we grow, I've realized that trusting people and delegating effectively isn't a weakness — it's a leadership style in itself. In fact, it helps me move faster, stay focused, and empower others. I'm still learning, still getting better at it, but it's changed how I lead and how we function as a team.

How has your background and experience shaped your approach to running a hotel business?

Growing up in a hotel family, I was exposed to both the glamour and the grind — but mostly the grind in my early years, watching my father build the business from scratch. That's when I realized hospitality isn't just about buildings or rooms — it's about people, emotions, and trust.

Being younger in this industry, I feel I'm in a unique position to bridge tradition with innovation. While I'm not a tech geek, I'm consciously working on integrating AI and other smart systems to keep us future-ready.

My background in finance, combined with a master's in international hospitality, gives me a balanced perspective. I'm comfortable with numbers (we're on good terms!), but I'm also deeply drawn to the human side of the business. My internship in Hong Kong and practical experiences during my studies helped shape my mindset. And today, whether it's through conversations with industry peers or learning on the job, I'm constantly evolving my approach to create more meaningful guest and team experiences.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for Fortune Hotel in the next five years, and how do you plan to achieve them?

It's a big question, and honestly, I've always wondered how the bigger players manage to answer this so confidently! For me, I've learned that while long-term vision matters, what really drives it is staying grounded in the day-to-day and being adaptable.

That said, over the next five years, one of our key goals is to expand our F&B portfolio and position Fortune as a proudly homegrown brand in Dubai. We're one of the few expat-founded hospitality groups that has been rooted in this city for years, and that's something I take immense pride in.

How do I plan to achieve it? By building on core pillars — sustainability, digital transformation, guest experience, and operational efficiency. We've already taken steps toward becoming more eco-conscious and are now focusing on strengthening our digital presence, both from a marketing and systems point of view.

And with my brother joining the company soon, I'm looking forward to fresh energy and shared responsibility. It's exciting to know we'll be shaping the future of the business together. So while I may not have a traditional five-year roadmap laid out just yet, I do have a clear sense of direction — and I'm confident we'll get there, one thoughtful step at a time.